Electronic Method and System that Improves Efficiencies for Rendering Diagnosis of Radiology Procedures

ABSTRACT

An electronic method and system for improving radiologists&#39; efficiencies when viewing radiology procedures and rendering diagnosis in a manner that emulates current methods and apparatus. The method of the present invention includes reviewing electronic radiology images and reports contained in a patient&#39;s digital master folder (an information object invented to manage the patient&#39;s radiology information), comparing images from the current procedure to specific images from prior procedures in a specified order, and dictating the procedure&#39;s diagnosis into the digital master folder. The apparatus of the present invention includes a flat panel monitor for the viewing and manipulation of digital master folders, a dictation trackball device for manual and voice enabled operation and navigation of the system, and multiple high-resolution computer monitors functioning as a “light-box” for the viewing of radiology images.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/527,924 filed Jun. 20,2012, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 12/684,289 filed Jan. 8,2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 12/069,468 filed Feb. 11, 2008, which claims thebenefit of Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 09/726,475 filedNov. 30, 2000, which further claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/168,106 filed Nov. 30, 1999. The subject matter ofthose applications is incorporated by this reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for improvingradiologists' efficiencies when viewing radiology procedures andrendering diagnosis.

2. General Background of the Invention

Typically, every radiology office uses a dictating machine for thepreparation of reports, a stack of master folders that contain patientinformation, and a light box, roto viewer, or like device for viewingradiology images. These images can include for example x-rays,ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer tomography,nuclear medicine images and the like.

The manual file folder system employed by radiologists and radiologydepartments is inefficient and cumbersome.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an electronic method of improving theefficiency of a radiologist and of a radiology department.

With the present invention, a plurality of computer monitors areprovided for displaying various images. At least one of the monitorssimulates a radiology “light box”, roto viewer, or like device fordisplaying electronic radiology images.

At least one of the monitors is used to display a digital graphicalrepresentation of a patient's folder, namely a digital master folder.

A hyperlink is used to open the report and to open different “pages” ofthe patient's master folder.

In one embodiment, a voice activated command can be used to open thepatient's master folder or to open “pages” of the patient's folder.

In another embodiment, a track ball device such as a computer mouse canbe used to open the patient's master folder or “pages” contained withinthe folder.

In another embodiment, the radiologist/user is provided with acombination microphone/track ball device that enables the radiologist oruser to open the patient's master folder or components thereof usingeither voice activated commands or the track ball device. A touch screendevice hyperlink can also be used to open a patient's folder or report.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages ofthe present invention, reference should be had to the following detaileddescription, read in conjunction with the following drawings, whereinlike reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a screen capture image showing a patient's radiology masterfolder that displays basic patient information including name, number,and study date;

FIG. 2 is a screen capture image showing the report, displayed by doubleclicking on the report hyperlink;

FIG. 3 is a screen capture image showing the audio graphical displaygenerated by the audio hyperlink 15;

FIG. 4 is a screen capture image showing a modality subfolder generatedby double clicking on the ultrasound header 17;

FIG. 5 is a screen capture image that shows radiology images in twelveup format;

FIG. 6 is a screen capture image that shows radiology images in four upformat;

FIG. 7 is a screen capture image that shows radiology images in cinemode;

FIG. 8 is a screen capture image that shows a cine set display;

FIG. 9 is a screen capture image that shows radiographic images, showingcurrent chest x-rays views, on the two high resolution monitors with theroto viewer window displayed;

FIG. 10 is a screen capture image that shows chest x-ray views currentand most recent with the roto viewer window displayed;

FIG. 11 is a screen capture image that shows radiographic imagesdemonstrating picture zoom;

FIG. 12 is a screen capture image showing radiographic images withoutthe roto viewer; and

FIG. 13 is a screen capture image showing multiple images using the rotoviewer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a digital representation of a patient folder designatedgenerally by the numeral 10. Patient folder 10 shows two hyperlinks 11,12. At the top center of the folder 10, a header 17 indicates that thisfolder can, for example, relate to an ultrasound. The folder couldrelate to their radiology procedures. By clicking on the ultrasoundhyperlink, the window shown in FIG. 1 is opened providing a reportdisplay area 13 to be filled with the report information in text form asdictated by a radiologist.

When a radiologist double clicks on the report hyperlink 12 in FIG. 1,the screen in FIG. 2 is displayed which is the report screen 14containing patient information and the substance of the report. Audiohyperlink 15 can be double clicked using the computer mouse in order toactually hear the report. When a user double clicks on the hyperlink 15in FIG. 2, the display in FIG. 3 is shown on the screen having agraphical display for the audio.

When the radiologist double clicks on the ultrasound header 17 in FIG.1, the screen provided in FIG. 4 has a modality subfolder 18 having ahyperlink 19. When the radiologist uses the computer mouse to doubleclick on the exam hyperlink in FIG. 4, actual radiology images as shownin FIG. 5 are displayed.

In FIG. 5, a left computer monitor 20 and a right computer monitor 21are shown. In FIG. 5, a “twelve up” configuration is shown in each ofthe monitors 20, 21. In FIG. 6, a “four up” configuration is shown ineach of the monitors 20, 21. In FIG. 7, a cine mode is shown for each ofthe monitors 20, 21. In the cine mode, sets of images are grouped andmaintained in that grouping on a selected screen 20 or 21. FIG. 8 is ascreen capture image that shows a cine set display.

FIGS. 9-12 show the use of the method and apparatus of the presentinvention to display full size radiology images, namely one image perscreen 20, 21. In FIG. 9, as an example, image 31 is a left image,current PA for a patient. The right image in FIG. 9 is an image that isa current lateral for the patient. To the left hand side in the screencapture of FIG. 9, a roto viewer 22 is also shown. The roto viewer inFIG. 9 is comprised of two columns of boxes, each column containing aset of windows, each window can be designated by the numeral 25. Thewindows 25 can be scrolled to display various radiology images asfurther shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, the upper left window box of roto viewer 22 isdesignated by the numeral 23. The upper right window box is designatedby the numeral 24. The screen captures of FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrateexamples of radiology images that can be displayed using the method andapparatus of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, the roto viewer 22 can include different groups ofimages in each of the window boxes 23, 24, 25 or 26. In FIG. 10, thewindow 23 contains those images which are displayed in the left handcomputer monitor 20. The window box 24 of roto viewer 22 contains imageswhich are displayed in the right hand monitor 21 in FIG. 10. Otherimages can be contained in other window boxes of the roto viewer 22 asshown in FIG. 10, just below window boxes 23, 24. Each of these images33, 34 appear in the roto viewer window boxes 23, 24. The roto viewer 22can be moved about the screen by dragging it.

In FIG. 11, the zoom feature of the present invention is illustrated.Each of the screens 20, 21 display a zoomed image. The monitor 20displays image 36. The monitor 21 displays image 39. At the lower lefthand corner of each of the screens 20, 21, there is provided a picturein a picture display. This picture in a picture display includes thesmaller picture 35 showing a chest x-ray as an example. The viewing area37 represents that portion of the chest x-ray 35 that is to be displayedin zoom format as image 36 in FIG. 11. Similarly, the monitor 21displays at its lower left hand corner a picture in picture 38 havingviewing area 40 that designates the zoom area of the chest x-ray 38. Theimage 39 is that portion of the image contained within viewing area 40and which has been enlarged to fill substantially all of screen 21.

FIG. 12 illustrates monitors 20, 21 with the roto viewer 22 removed.

In FIG. 13, the group of windows 27, 28, 29 and 30 represent differentcine sets or groups of images that have been purposely grouped togetherby the radiologist. Each of the windows 27-30 can be moved about withinthe roto viewer to move the displayed images around the screens 20, 21.

PARTS LIST

Part No. Description

10 folder

11 hyperlink (ultrasound)

12 hyperlink (report)

13 report display area

14 report

15 audio hyperlink

16 graphical display—audio

17 ultrasound header

18 modality subfolder

19 hyperlink

20 left monitor

21 right monitor

22 roto viewer

23 left window box

24 right window box

25 windows/roto viewer

26 windows/roto viewer

27 windows group

28 windows group

29 windows group

30 windows group

31 left image/current PA

32 right image/current lateral

33 left image/current PA

34 right image/most recent lateral

35 picture in picture

36 image—zoom

37 view area

38 picture in picture

39 image—zoom

40 view area

The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; thescope of the present invention is to be limited only by the followingclaims.

1. An electronic method of improving the efficiency of a radiologist,comprising the steps of: a) providing a system that includes a computerand a plurality of monitors interfaced with the computer, each monitorfor displaying an image; b) using at least one of the monitors todisplay electronic radiology images; c) using at least one of themonitors to simulate a digital graphical representation of a patient'smanual master folder comprising the steps of: (i) generating by asoftware application the digital graphical representation of thepatient's manual master folder as an image on the monitor designed foruse as a graphical user interface by the radiologist; (ii) generatingdata fields on the digital graphical representation including patientinformation, medical procedures information and radiologist informationregarding radiology procedures associated with such patient stored in aninformation database; (iii) providing information and hyperlinks toradiology reports and images in a default electronic layout conformingto the layout of the patient's manual master folder and tailored to auser; and (iv) including hyperlinks within at least one data field toview additional information or images relating to a patient's medicalrecords when clicked; d) using a hyperlink to open the folder displayedin step “c” to display information contained in the folder; and e) usinga hyperlink that accesses the folder to display a radiology image from aradiology procedure to permit diagnosis.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein in step “d” a voice activated command is used to open thepatient's master folder.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein in step “d” aninput device is used to open the patient's master folder.
 4. The methodof claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a combinationdictation and input device, and wherein in step “d” a user canselectively use either a voice activated command or the input device toopen the patient's master folder.
 5. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising the step of using the computer to interface the monitors andthe hyperlink.
 6. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step ofusing the computer to interface the monitors and the combinationdictation and input device.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein there aretwo monitors in step “c” that are used to display electronic radiologyimages.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the monitor in step “c” that isused to display electronic radiology images is a high resolutionmonitor.
 9. The method of claim 7 wherein the monitors in step “c” thatare used to display electronic radiology images is a high resolutionmonitor.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein in step “b” the image viewedis an ultrasound image.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein in step “b”the image viewed is a magnetic resonance image.
 12. The method of claim1 wherein in step “b” the image viewed is a computer tomography image.13. The method of claim 1 wherein in step “b” the image viewed is adigital image.
 14. The method of claim 1 wherein in step “b” the imageviewed is a nuclear medicine image.
 15. A method for reviewingelectronic radiology information including patient demographics,radiology procedures, radiology reports and radiology images, comprisingthe steps of: a) loading the radiology information associated with aselected group of patients that are assigned to a selected radiologistinto a computer memory; b) generating by a software application an imageof a radiology manual master folder on an area of a computer display foruse as a graphical user interface by the radiologist; c) generating datafields associated with a digital master folder on the image of apatient's manual master folder including patient's name, medical recordnumber, date of birth, sex, and information regarding proceduresassociated with such patient stored in an information database includingdate, type of procedure, report, and radiologist, the digital masterfolder designed for use by a radiologist; d) displaying the informationassociated with the patient from computer memory in data fields on thecomputer display in a default electronic layout conforming to the layoutof the patient's manual master folder; e) providing hyperlinks withinthe procedure and report data fields to view additional information orimages relating to a patient's medical records when clicked, theinformation and images displayed in electronic formats andconfigurations tailored to a radiology practice; f) clicking on thereport field, displays a new window that contains the text of the reportand a link to the digitally recorded dictation of the report, that whenclicked will play the recording; g) placing a cursor over the reportfield on the digital master folder, to display summary information ofthe report; h) clicking on the procedure field to send a command to aviewing portal to load the procedures and images that meet the criteriaof the radiologist's file; i) viewing the radiology images fromradiology procedures; j) generating a searchable and selectable list ofpatients that have procedures assigned to the radiologist on thecomputer display; and k) providing commands that navigate through thestack of master folders, displaying information associated with a newpatient in a data field on the computer display from computer memory.16. An apparatus to access, store, and distribute electronic radiologyinformation including patient demographics, radiology procedures,radiology reports and radiology images comprising: a) an informationdatabase including patient demographics, radiology identificationnumber, procedures, images, reports, orders and appointments; b) meansfor transmitting and receiving the information between computersconnected to a computer network via extensible markup language (XML); c)means for searching for a plurality of user specified types ofinformation contained in the information database; d) means forgenerating by a software application a digital master folderrepresentation of a patient's manual master folder for displaying thespecified types of information over a monitor of a computer connected tothe computer network, the digital master folder representation designedfor use as a graphical user interface by a radiologist; e) means forgenerating data fields on the digital master folder representationincluding radiology reports and images information regarding radiologyprocedures associated with such patient stored in the informationdatabase; f) means for viewing radiology images from a radiologyprocedure; g) means for displaying the radiology reports and images inan electronic layout conforming to the layout of the patient's manualmaster folder and tailored to a user; and h) means for providinghyperlinks within at least one data field to view additional informationor images relating to a patient's medical records when clicked.
 17. Amulti-monitor radiology image viewing system comprising: a) a pluralityof monitors; b) a combination dictation and input device that includes ahyperlink to view a patients' information and medical images on separatemonitors comprising: c) a radiology portal that includes a monitor and acomputer for the searching and that includes viewing medicalinformation, the medical information displayed over the monitor bygenerating by a software application a digital master folderrepresentation of a patient's manual master folder, the digital masterfolder representation designed for use as a graphical user interface bya radiologist; d) said digital master folder representation providingdata fields included within the digital master folder representationproviding information and links to radiology reports and imagesregarding radiology procedures associated with such patient stored in aninformation database in an electronic layout conforming to the layout ofthe patient's manual master folder and tailored to a user, such linksproviding for the viewing of additional information or images relatingto a patient's medical records when clicked; e) said viewing portalconsisting of at least two monitors designed for the viewing of aplurality of radiology images including digital images, computertomography, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and magnetic resonance images;and f) said combination dictation and input device including a voicecomponent that issues operational and navigational commands to theradiology portal and viewing portal by providing speech recognition forthe creation of dictated radiology reports.
 18. The system of claim 17,wherein the radiology portal consists of a monitor and computer for thesearching and viewing of medical information stored internal andexternal to the system.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein theradiology portal consists of a touch screen monitor and computer forsearching and viewing of medical information stored internal andexternal to the system.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein theradiology portal consists of a flat panel monitor and computer forsearching and viewing of medical information stored internal andexternal to the system.
 21. The system of claim 17, wherein theradiology portal consists of a touch screen flat panel monitor andcomputer for searching and viewing of medical information storedinternal and external to the system.
 22. The system of claim 17, whereinthe viewing portal consists of a single high-resolution monitor designedfor the viewing of a plurality of radiology images including digitalimages, computer tomography, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and magneticresonance images.
 23. The system of claim 17, wherein the viewing portalconsists of a single high-resolution computer monitor.
 24. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the viewing portal consists of two high-resolutioncomputer monitors.
 25. The system of claim 17, wherein the viewingportal consists of four high-resolution monitors designed for theviewing of a plurality of radiology images including digital images,computer radiology, computer tomography, ultrasound, nuclear medicine,and magnetic resonance images.
 26. The system of claim 17, wherein theviewing portal includes six high-resolution monitors for the viewing ofa plurality of radiology images including digital images, computertomography, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and magnetic resonance images.27. The system of claim 17, wherein the viewing portal consists of eighthigh-resolution monitors designed for the viewing of a plurality ofradiology images including digital images, computer tomography,ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and magnetic resonance images.
 28. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the combination dictation and input deviceincludes a separate mouse and microphone.